Mifgash Itinerary

Day 1: Sunday

Departure

• Overnight flight from the US

Day 2: Monday

"Onward to Jerusalem" • Travel towards Jerusalem from Ben Gurion Airport • Stop at the Burma road and begin your march toward Jerusalem • "Conquer" the hill top and plant your flag as you overlook the way to the Holy City • Re-board the bus and enter Jerusalem • Shechiyanu and opening session at the Armon Hanatziv Jerusalem overlook • Lunch • Visit the City of David, where Jerusalem was first built • Visit the Kotel   • Check in and dinner at the hotel Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 3: Tuesday

The Beautiful North • Travel north to the Golan Heights • Hike the Jilabun Trail • Lunch • Bike through the valleys of the north • 4 x 4 adventure through the Galilie • Check in and dinner at the hotel • Disco cruise on the Kinneret  Overnight: North

Day 4: Wednesday

Strategic Issues in the Golan • Overlook Syria from the Bental – learn about the Yom Kippur War • Hike the Snir trail and learn about the importance of water in the Middle East • Lunch • Travel to Tel Chai • Solidarity ceremony for the those who fell in the Second Lebanese War • Travel to Tsfat and tour the ancient mystical city    • Travel to Tel Aviv • Check in and dinner at the hotel • Free time in Tel Aviv Overnight: Tel Aviv

Day 5: Thursday

Tel Aviv, Israel's first Modern City • Visit Rabin Square • Visit the Diaspora Museum • Lunch • Free time on the beach (if weather permits) • Tel Aviv/Jaffa city tour • Travel to Jerusalem • Movie: A Hero in Heaven: The Michael Levine story – an American Jew, an Israeli Paratrooper, who was killed in combat in Lebanon. Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 6: Friday

The Price We Pay for Independence • Meet your soldiers!!!  • Visit the Herzl Museum • Visit Mt. Herzl, Israel's national military cemetery • Visit the Machne Yehuda open market and see how Israelis prepare for Shabbat   • Return to the hotel and prepare for Shabbat • Travel to the Jewish Quarter • Shabbat discussion on an Old City roof top • Candle lighting • Welcome the Shabbat at the Kotel (Wailing Wall) • Traditional Friday night dinner in the Old City Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 7: Saturday

"The Shabbat Experience" • Coffee and cake • Optional Shabbat Prayers • Begin the "Shabbat Experience" program • Lunch • Afternoon Jerusalem tour • Early dinner • Havdallah • Travel to the South Overnight: Arad

Day 8: Sunday

The Stories of Judea • A sunrise visit to Masada – visit Herod's ancient palace and learn about the Jewish struggle     against the Roman Empire   • Hike Nahal David and swim in the desert oasis   • Lunch and swim in the Dead Sea at the Tsel Harim hotel • Enjoy the Dead Sea mud, spa and swimming pool   • Travel to the Mamshit Bedouin camp • Enjoy Bedouin hospitality Overnight: Mamshit

Day 9: Monday

Jewish Settlement in the Negev • Enjoy an early morning camel ride • Visit Sde Boker – burial site of Ben Gurion, Israel's first Prime Minister • Lunch • Hike Ein Ovdat • Visit the Ramon Crater • Travel to Eilat  • Activity in the hotel • Free time in Eilat Overnight: Eilat

Day 10: Tuesday

Fun in the Sun – Eilat • Hike Nahal Shlomo- 5 hour hike! • Snorkel in the Red Sea   • Lunch • Travel north into the Negev Desert • Visit a local army base • Farewell to your soldiers • Check and dinner at the hotel • Activity: Preparation for Yad Vashem Overnight: Jerusalem

Day 11: Wednesday

From Ashes to Glory • Visit Yad Vashem, Israel's National Holocaust museum   • Lunch • Travel to Tel Aviv • Visit Independence Hall, where Israel was declared a state   • Final session • Travel to Ben Gurion airport for departure home